Post by GaliWalker on Oct 14, 2023 15:06:47 GMT -8
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (Oct 13, 2023)
Old Rag – Robertson Mountain loop
12.6mi, 4250ft gain, 9.25hrs
I took the day off and headed to Shenandoah National Park. Since fall colors in Virginia haven't started to pop just yet, I decided to revisit the perennial favorite, Old Rag, which always provides good value for money, no matter the conditions. In a bid to better manage overcrowding on the mountain, the National Park Service had recently instituted an online day-use permit system (in addition to the normal park entrance fee). I'd got my $1 ticket the previous afternoon, and there had been plenty of them still available, so painless really.
I started my hike at 6:50am, only needing to use my headlamp for the first 10min. After making smooth progress up the lower reaches of the mountain, via fourteen moderately graded switchbacks, I reached the northeast summit ridge, where things steepened considerably. Not long after I was at the base of the scramble route, that would last all the way to the summit. I've done this plenty of times now, so there's no stress, just fun, fun, fun!
Looking at the scramble route from its base
Into the notch and then right
Under the chockstone
GaliWalker on Old Rag
On the summit
From the summit, a straightforward trail continued down Old Rag's west ridge. At its end, after my name was ticked off the day-use permit list by a park ranger, I continued uphill on the Old Rag Fire Road. My second peak for the day was going to be Robertson Mountain, which had been a large triangular presence from Old Rag's summit. The fire road made for fast travel for 2.2mi, at which point I intersected the Robertson Mountain Trail. A right turn on this, and another 0.8mi of upward progress later, I was on the summit.
Looking back at Old Rag's summit
Robertson Mountain summit
After enjoying the westerly views of the main Shenandoah ridge, atop which runs the 105mi long Skyline Drive, I resumed heading along the Robertson Mountain Trail, now steeply downhill (1700ft drop in 1.6mi). The slippery leaves and ball-bearing nature of the rocky surface meant that it was slow and careful going. Once down at the Weakley Hollow Fire Road much faster progress resumed, as I knocked off the final 2.5mi as quickly as I could. I had a date with Skyline Drive.
Little Stony Man
1.5mi, 300ft gain
Since I'd taken the day off, I wanted to wring out as much fun as I could from it. So, I drove up to Skyline Drive, and then a further 7.5mi south to the trailhead for Little Stony Man. A short 0.7mi hike along the Appalachian Trail got me up to one of my favorite spots in the park, especially for sunset.
Old Rag – Robertson Mountain loop
12.6mi, 4250ft gain, 9.25hrs
I took the day off and headed to Shenandoah National Park. Since fall colors in Virginia haven't started to pop just yet, I decided to revisit the perennial favorite, Old Rag, which always provides good value for money, no matter the conditions. In a bid to better manage overcrowding on the mountain, the National Park Service had recently instituted an online day-use permit system (in addition to the normal park entrance fee). I'd got my $1 ticket the previous afternoon, and there had been plenty of them still available, so painless really.
I started my hike at 6:50am, only needing to use my headlamp for the first 10min. After making smooth progress up the lower reaches of the mountain, via fourteen moderately graded switchbacks, I reached the northeast summit ridge, where things steepened considerably. Not long after I was at the base of the scramble route, that would last all the way to the summit. I've done this plenty of times now, so there's no stress, just fun, fun, fun!
Looking at the scramble route from its base
Into the notch and then right
Under the chockstone
GaliWalker on Old Rag
On the summit
From the summit, a straightforward trail continued down Old Rag's west ridge. At its end, after my name was ticked off the day-use permit list by a park ranger, I continued uphill on the Old Rag Fire Road. My second peak for the day was going to be Robertson Mountain, which had been a large triangular presence from Old Rag's summit. The fire road made for fast travel for 2.2mi, at which point I intersected the Robertson Mountain Trail. A right turn on this, and another 0.8mi of upward progress later, I was on the summit.
Looking back at Old Rag's summit
Robertson Mountain summit
After enjoying the westerly views of the main Shenandoah ridge, atop which runs the 105mi long Skyline Drive, I resumed heading along the Robertson Mountain Trail, now steeply downhill (1700ft drop in 1.6mi). The slippery leaves and ball-bearing nature of the rocky surface meant that it was slow and careful going. Once down at the Weakley Hollow Fire Road much faster progress resumed, as I knocked off the final 2.5mi as quickly as I could. I had a date with Skyline Drive.
Little Stony Man
1.5mi, 300ft gain
Since I'd taken the day off, I wanted to wring out as much fun as I could from it. So, I drove up to Skyline Drive, and then a further 7.5mi south to the trailhead for Little Stony Man. A short 0.7mi hike along the Appalachian Trail got me up to one of my favorite spots in the park, especially for sunset.